AHOSKIE – Have you made plans for the next three days?

If so, cancel them and head to Ahoskie.

The town will be a blur of activity beginning today (Thursday) through Saturday with not one, not two, but three major events.

Topping the list is the 86th annual Atlantic District Fair, which began on Tuesday and runs through Saturday at the Fairgrounds on Holloman Ave. Featured events include harness racing, carnival amusement rides, King and Queen of the Fair contests, step show, praise dancing, a car show, prizes for the best dressed man and women, exhibits and Hertford County’s own version of American Idol.

Adding to Ahoskie’s busy agenda is the 36th annual Indian Summer Days Show and Sale sponsored by the Ahoskie Chamber of Commerce. That event n featuring a wide assortment of unique crafts plus an appraisal fair n is scheduled for 11 a.m. until 8 p.m. on Friday and 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. on Saturday at the old Ahoskie High School gym. Admission is free and concessions, featuring homemade soup, will be offered for sale.

Ahoskie Heritage Day, now in its third year, begins later today (Thursday) and runs through Saturday.

A Gospel Fest kick-offs Heritage Day with a 7:30-10 p.m. Thursday night performance.

Friday (7-11 p.m.) features live entertainment from the Pizazz Band along with food, beverages and rides for the children at the old Ahoskie High School football field. The evening will end with a fireworks display.

For those early risers, Saturday’s agenda begins at 7 a.m. with yard sales.

At 10 a.m., Heritage Day will feature its first ever parade, one with antique farm equipment, autos, horses and much more. The parade route begins near Southern Bank on East Main Street and travel west towards and across Academy Street.

Participants in a 5K Run/Walk sponsored by ViQuest will lead the parade down Main Street.

The remainder of Saturday’s Heritage Day activities will keep patrons moving between events. Scheduled are a Health Fair Expo at the Rural Fire Building, exhibits by the Ahoskie Historic Preservation Committee and Beautification Committee in the old Band Building, a Dog Show, a 3-on-3 Basketball Tournament, Battle of the Bands, Model Race Car Exhibit & Demonstration, exhibits of fire trucks and equipment by the Ahoskie Fire Department, face painting, balloons, rides and concessions for the children. All of these events will be held on West Main Street in the area of the old Ahoskie High School.

Meanwhile, a drawn horse exhibit and demonstrations of antique farm equipment will be held in the “buyout” area off Camlin Street. Pork barbecue plates with all the trimmings will be served there as well.

The Ahoskie Heritage Day Art Show will be located at the St. Thomas Episcopal Church Fellowship Hall. That event is scheduled from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m.

The First Baptist Church of Ahoskie will hold its annual Pumpkin Decorating event on the grounds of the church on Main Street.

The Soldiers Against the Darkness Gospel Group will be performing from 12 noon until 5:30 p.m. on Saturday at the Ahoskie Recreation Building area.

In addition, the Ahoskie Kiwanis Club will serve lip-smacking chicken pastry from 11 a.m. until 2 p.m. Tickets will be sold at the door.

Strickland Motors, Inc. of Ahoskie has offered a 2007 Chevrolet HHR to be raffled off on Heritage Day. All you have to do is purchase a $5 ticket and if your name is selected in a random drawing, you must sink a three-quarter court basketball shot to win. Other lucky ticket holders are eligible to win one of the 10 outdoor basketball goals used in the 3-on-3 tournament.

According to Ahoskie Mayor Linda Blackburn, all Heritage Day events will take place, no matter the weather conditions. However, some of the events may change venues in case of rain.

The National Weather Service has a chance of rain in its forecast Thursday night through Monday.